British man arrested in Pasig City with huge haul of weapons

Investigations are continuing into why Marney was in possession of a cache of weaponry. It has already been confirmed that he did not have a licence to carry firearms in the Philippines

A British man and a Filipino, believed to be his employee, were arrested in Pasig City for possession of five handguns, ammunition and a cache of other weapons.

Matthew George Marney, aged 38, and Rommel Catilo, 45, were nabbed yesterday at the Briton’s home in an upmarket subdivision, police said today (Friday, November 24).

The operation was conducted by the police’s Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) anti-transnational-crime unit, which worked with a search warrant, a CIDG statement said.

It added that officers found five .45 calibre pistols with 25 bullets, 14 bladed weapons, five brass knuckle-dusters, a slingshot, stun gun and other paraphernalia at the 125,000 peso-per-month residence.

Inquest proceedings were filed at the Pasig City prosecutors’ office today, the statement said.

Superintendent Roque Merdegia, who led the raid, told the Guardian that the unit had received a tip-off from somebody who had reported seeing armed men at Marney’s home. An investigation showed that Marney did not have a licence to carry firearms in the Philippines.

“We were surprised to discover five short firearms. That’s not normal,” Supt. Merdegia said.

He added that it was a “priority” case and the police would liaise with British embassy to check if Marney had a criminal record.

“Right now, considering that there is martial law in Mindanao, it is quite alarming to arrest a foreign individual with a lot of firearms,” said Merdegia.

Marney’s LinkedIn profile says he moved to Manila in 2015 to help “over 2,500 Middle Eastern investors to purchase off-plan property in Manila as well as over 50 others to set up businesses in the best locations”.

YPT set out what "counts" as visiting a country - updated from last time after causing a bit of controversy and answering some previously unanswered questions.
According to our rules, how many have ...